While the Irish military leadership considered invasion a distinct possibility, the civilian government thought their worries greatly overblown. The English had their own invasion scares to overcome, while the Germans certainly would not conduct amphibious landing operations so far to the west. And that was probably right - but the Germans had more options than simply coming by sea.

Conclusion

Operating at the end of a very long and tenuous supply line, the German airborne invaders of Ireland would be outnumbered and on a tight timetable to secure a port through which supplies and reinforcements could flow. The Germans would be unlikely to conquer Ireland, or hold the island if they somehow subdued its major communications and political centers. But they could force the British to intervene against them, possibly sparking a lengthy and deeply unpopular occupation.

Additional Notes

Translated title: "A good run is better than a bad stand".

G2 note: The 5th Brigade was based out of Curragh, in central Ireland. It seems a little far north of where the likely action would be. More likely is a battalion from either the 1st or 3rd Brigade.